Rating the Fullbacks - NFL Prospects

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;...aOAcvrYF?slug=jm-fb093007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

SEC
Peyton Hillis, Arkansas – One of the most versatile offensive players in the country. Has exceptional hands out of the backfield as well as being a solid runner and blocker no matter where he lines up. He is a well-built athlete who shows more quickness and acceleration than expected for a 6-2, 242-pounder. Has been banged up at times during his college career, but teams that are looking for a productive secondary option out of the backfield will go hard after Hillis.


Jacob Hester, LSU – The former fullback turned running back has taken the lead back spot for the Tigers seriously. He has proven to be a more polished runner than most expected. Hester is likely to be evaluated as more of a combo or one-back as he has size, good acceleration in the open field and has run through tacklers. He lacks the ideal skills of a true fullback, but could be a positive fit for a West Coast-style offense.


Carl Stewart, Auburn – An interesting athlete for this position, Stewart runs very well for his size (235 pounds), but continues to also show improvement in the other facets of his game. Under-rated because the SEC is full of strong fullbacks, but his all-around athleticism and straight-line speed for his size is sure to warrant a closer look come the postseason.

 

For about a year now, I've said that Hester is a Larry Centers-type of FB--capable of lining up in the backfield in a 1-back set, but also a dangerous weapon in the passing game.

Plus, Hester pass-protects really well and is a very cerebral player. He's not the flashiest of players, but he does all the little things right.

He's going to be a player that I'm going to really miss after this season.

 

Hester could be a very good FB, but needs to bulk up a lot.

 

I thought he was a running back? Why don't we ever see him playing as a fullback if he's so awesome?

Oh, he's a consistent senior...my bad. No sense having him on the field with a halfback at the same time or anything.

I remember the last time we were talking about a senior RB who got a lot of carries and was mentioned as a fullback...yep, last year. We miss you JV.

And in the NFL, Hester could be a very, very good FB with some added bulk. Blocks, catches, and can make >10 yard power runs.

 

I really don't understand why people think Hester is such a great blocker. Has he EVER been the lead blocker on a successful running play? Usually, whenever I see him lined up at fullback, he ends up getting the ball, not blocking for the tailback.

He's good in pass protection, but if he's a great blocker we sure haven't seen it demonstrated.

 

Watch most of our short yardage running touchdowns - Hester is often blocking.

From what I can tell, Hester is not that great of a pure blocker, but he reads the plays well.

 

I see him as a player that lines up at H-back, slot, TE, or FB. Kinda of like Dallas Clark.

 

Run blocking is only ONE aspect of blocking. Hester's pass protection has been one of the best and most consistant of all of our backs.

 

Or Chris Cooley in Washington.

 

Since we are talking about prospects here, anyone want to weigh in on how many first rounders come out of LSU in next years draft.